Abstract: This thesis is written from the perspective of phonetic rhetoric, syntactic rhetoric, and lexical rhetoric, and through method of the comparative study to examine the similarities of the Kennedy and Obama’s inaugural address. This paper aims to comprehend the rhetorical features in their addresses and to appreciate the beauty of phonology, syntax, and lexis, which is produced by rhetoric and to understand the function and significance of rhetoric. This paper not only contributes to the profound understanding and appreciation of the two inaugural addresses, but also has the great benefit to improve the comprehensive ability of English reading comprehension, appreciation and application.

Key words: inaugural address; rhetorical devices

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1.Literary Review-1

1.1The Research of Inaugural Address and President Kennedy and Obama-1

1.2The Introduction of Rhetorical Devices-3

1.2.1Phonetic Rhetoric-3

1.2.2Syntactic Rhetoric-3

1.2.3Lexical Rhetoric-4

2.The Comparative Study on Phonetic Level-4

2.1Alliteration-4

2.2Consonance-5

3.The Comparative Study on Syntactic Level-5

3.1Parallelism-6

3.2Repetition-7

3.3Antithesis-8

4.The Comparative Study on Lexical Level-9

4.1Metaphor-10

4.2Metonymy-11

5.Conclusion-11

Bibliography-13

Acknowledgements-14